Seri Teratai

Seri Teratai is a governmental residence on Macalister Road in central Penang that displays local architectural elements along a tree-lined street. The building sits surrounded by other structures and green spaces that frame its position within the urban landscape.

The building was constructed in 1926 under the original name Rumah Tetamu and was renamed to Seri Teratai following renovations during Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's administration. These changes reflected efforts to modernize and restore the structure for its governmental role.

The residence hosts government ceremonies and official receptions, including the Chinese New Year Open House where the public is invited to celebrate. These events show how the building serves as a meeting point between officials and the community throughout the year.

The residence can be reached by car through one-way Macalister Road from Jalan Utama, with St. George's Girls School nearby as a helpful reference point. The location on a main street makes it fairly easy to find once you know the area.

Several Chief Ministers chose not to live in the residence due to persistent termite problems that required costly maintenance and repairs. These structural issues made it impractical as a home despite its official status.